Dharmaraj v. The District Collector

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 05.06.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR Dharmaraj ... Petitioner vs.

1.The District Collector, Pudukkottai.

2.The Assistant Director of Panchayat, O/o.District Collectorate, Pudukkottai District.

3.The Divisional Engineer, Department of Highways, Trichy District.

4.The Block Development Officer, Viralimalai Taluk and Post, Pudukkottai District.

5.The Inspector of Police, Mathur Police Station, Mathur Post, Pudukkottai District.

6.The President, Mathur Village Panchayat, Pudukkottai District.

7.Ramamoorthi ... Respondents 1/6

PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents 1 to 6 to ensure that weekly market in Mathur village is to be conducted in accordance with law by conducting public auction and to take appropriate action against the 7th respondent for illegally conduction weekly market in Mathur Village, Kulathur Taluk and Pudukkottai District against law.

For Petitioner :Mr.P.Ganapathi Subramanian For R1 to R4 and R6 :Mr.M.Mahaboob Athiff Government Advocate For R5 :Mr.R.Mohamed Riyaz Government Advocate (Crl.side) *****

O R D E R

The petitioner has approached this Court seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing respondents 1 to 6 to ensure that the weekly market in Mathur Village is conducted strictly in accordance with law through a public auction process and to take appropriate action against the seventh respondent for allegedly conducting the weekly market in Mathur Village, Kulathur Taluk, Pudukkottai District, without lawful authority.

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2.Heard Mr. P. Ganapathi Subramanian, learned counsel for the petitioner, Mr. M. Mahaboob Athiff, learned Government Advocate appearing for respondents 1 to 4 and 6, and Mr. R. Mohamed Riyaz, learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the fifth respondent.

3.The petitioner states that he is an agriculturist and an elected member representing Ward No.5 of Mathur Village Panchayat. According to him, the Mathur Village Panchayat passed a resolution dated 06.07.2022 to conduct the weekly market at a site opposite the Government Higher Secondary School, Anna Nagar, Mathur. However, it is alleged that the seventh respondent has been conducting the weekly market at a different location adjacent to the highway, contrary to the said resolution. In this regard, the petitioner submitted a representation to respondents 1 to 6 seeking appropriate action against the seventh respondent for conducting the weekly market without authority of law. The grievance of the petitioner is that no action has been taken on the said representation despite the lapse of considerable time. 3/6

4.Mr. M. Mahaboob Athiff, learned Government Advocate appearing for respondents 1 to 4 and 6, on instructions, submitted that the petitioner's representation dated 14.03.2026 would be considered and disposed of by the first respondent on its own merits and in accordance with law within such time as may be stipulated by this Court. The said submission is placed on record.

5.In view of the above submission, this Court is inclined to dispose of the writ petition without expressing any opinion on the merits of the petitioner's claim.

6.Accordingly, the writ petition stands disposed of with a direction to the first respondent to consider and dispose of the petitioner's representation dated 14.03.2026 on its own merits and in accordance with law and pass appropriate orders.

7.The aforesaid exercise shall be completed within a period of four

(4) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 4/6

8.There shall be no order as to costs.

Index :Yes / No 05.06.2026 Internet :Yes / No NCC :Yes / No cmr To 1.The District Collector, Pudukkottai.

2.The Assistant Director of Panchayat, O/o.District Collectorate, Pudukkottai District.

3.The Divisional Engineer, Department of Highways, Trichy District 4.The Block Development Officer, Viralimalai Taluk and Post, Pudukkottai District.

5.The Inspector of Police, Mathur Police Station, Mathur Post, Pudukkottai District.

6.The President, Mathur Village Panchayat, Pudukkottai District.

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HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J.

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